Virtual experiment.docxVIP

Virtual experiment-2D Frame analysis report 1 Introduction In order to know how to use software to analyze a two dimensions frame structure and understand how software can support theoretical knowledge, a virtual experiment is carried out by using, by which people can interactively build structures and receive visual and numeric feedback. After analyzing by software, students are required to analyze frames by either slope deflection method or moment distribution method. This short report mainly concludes the comparison of the results got from and manual calculation respectively and some discussion about structural analysis. 2 Sketches Figure 2.1 Frame with loadings E= 25 GPa Section dimensions: Width = 300 mm, Depth = 300 mm for beams Width =400 mm, Depth = 300 mm for columns. Figure 2.2 Section dimension 3 Comparison 3.1 Results obtained by software: Figure 3.1.1 Bending moment diagram Figure 3.1.2 Shear force diagram Figure 3.1.3 Deflected shape diagram 3.2 Results obtained by manual calculation: By comparing these results, it is clear that the results obtained from Dr. Frame 2D and results obtained by hand calculation correspond to each other very well. 4 Discussions For this frame, two interesting hypotheses are proposed. The hypotheses are how the sway will change as the support condition at D becomes fixed end and whether the frame is still stable if the support at D is removed. For the first hypothesis, a bending moment will develop at D if the support at D changes into fixed end. In this case the column end D will be confined by the support and not be flexible any more. Thereby, the sway of the frame will decrease. If the support at D is removed, the reaction force at E will increase extremely both in vertical and horizontal direction to balance the whole structure. So the frame will be stable even without the support at D. All these conclusion are verified by using Dr. Frame 2D (see figure 4.1 and 4.2). According to figure 4.1, the displacement